Google chief sez: "Your mobile phone should be free"

In the beginning...we had Burma Shave, then there was Google. They've been tiptoeing around the cellphone interface for awhile now, but if you think they're just testing the waters, think again. With the introduction of AdWords for Google's mobile search service, the cellphone has become Google's next platform for growth. As hand-held computers coax their owners into spending 8 to 10 hours a day watching TV, surfing the web, listening to music, shopping, texting, navigating GPS, snapping pictures, and streaming videos, Google expects cellphone advertising to one day match their computer-based ad revenue which already generated about $10 billion for the year. Indeed, ads are expected to become so prevalent that "your mobile phone should be free," as Google CEO, Eric Schmidt, told Reuters. While he conceded that phones may never become totally free for the consumer -- at least outside of Mr. Lee's Greater Hong Kong -- advertising will drive down the costs substantially as it has for newspapers. Oh fun.

[Eric @ Dec 17th 2006 6:57PM]

Idiot. Die Spammer!

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[kOa7 @ Nov 13th 2006 9:24AM]

Having some kind of -affordable- mobile internet would be a good start for poor Canadians. After flat rate GPRS was pulled, we're stuck paying $20 to send an average digital image. Go competition (the larger GSM provider bought the smaller, and maybe there's a bit of collusion going on).

Engadget might also want to note Sun releasing Java under the GPL, including all the mobile add-ons, removing licensing issues and developer hesitation, this should open the way for a lot more devices supporting J2ME applications, such as Google's mobile mail reader.

[Matt @ Nov 13th 2006 9:25AM]

Everyone loves a good Snow Crash reference.

[mespinosam @ Nov 13th 2006 9:37AM]

'nof with sez ....

[Matias Korhonen @ Nov 13th 2006 9:59AM]

In Finland (at least most of the top people behind this are from Finland) there are already plans afoot to create a mobile operator (Called "Blyk" of all things) financed by advertising. No details on, well, any details at all... It seems that they'll be launching in the UK mid 2007 (this is according to their site.)

URL: http://about.blyk.com

[John @ Nov 13th 2006 10:59AM]

As confirmed by their website, the team at Blyk have all had the tops of their heads cut off (and presumably their brains removed) so I'm hoping that we have little to fear from this new wave of advertising. ;-)

[Mike @ Nov 13th 2006 10:21AM]

"This phone call has been brought to you by Domino's Brooklyn-Style Pizza!"

[Kevin Pease @ Nov 13th 2006 10:34AM]

We, as consumers, should at least have the option to PAY for a phone that does not support advertisements. I think that would be a great niche for a new company. More expensive TV, internet, phone service that hosts NO advertising and is funded solely by its customers. Who's with me?

[poopscooper @ Nov 16th 2006 4:37PM]

Yup. I want an ad-free phone. Do you really think that the wireless providers are going to subtract ad revenue from your usage fees? Guess again. When was the last time you used a "free" ATM?

[Dan Esparza @ Nov 13th 2006 10:50AM]

+2 'Snow Crash' reference

[Pete @ Nov 13th 2006 10:50AM]

While they may hope ads subsidize cell phones, what would more likely happen is you'll still continue to pay your monthly service fee, have outrageous prices for the phone hardware, and *still* have ads on your phone. You think the cell phone conglomerates are going to pass savings on to you?? They're already fighting for profits because they've already sold everyone a phone.

I'd chalk this up to working just like how they want to you buy multiple copies of the same damn song for different purposes. Hey, I heard that song on my subscription radio service - it sounds good. I'll pay and download it from an online music service. Oh, I want a clip of that same song as a ringtone. Ah, I'll pay the phone company a price again for a snippet of the song, and the right to be able to play it on my phone.

Bah! :-/

[the_steven @ Dec 19th 2006 11:06AM]

Free ATM's ??? They're all over the place here in Philly, just go to any Wawa!

[Jim @ Nov 13th 2006 11:07AM]

Holy crap, a friggin' Snow Crash reference! [swoons] It's too early on a Monday for this... I gotta climb back in The Deliverator and get some pizzas out to the burbclaves for Uncle Enzo. Hiro, out...

[Bill @ Nov 13th 2006 12:20PM]

Am I the only one that sees the connection between this and the Apple cell phone? The way I see it, Apple's working on a cell phone and that Google Apple... could Google give Apple the leverage to be able to sell cell phones directly to customers, thereby cutting out the middle-man (ie: Cingular, et al)? Everyone has been pointing to the Apple+Google collaboration in terms of the iTV... but could the iPhone actually be where the action is in this team-up?

Or should I take my tinfoil hat off now?

[Bill @ Nov 13th 2006 12:25PM]

My last comment got really messed up for some reason... but I think you get the drift.

Cheers.

[Adam @ Nov 13th 2006 1:16PM]

Big fan of the snow crash reference.

[captain obvious @ Nov 13th 2006 12:46PM]

LOL nobody wants ads on their phones!! Are you people such slave consumers that you don't realize this? One of the main reasons why people love DVR's is because they can FASTFORWARD over commericials! People avoid sites with popups like the plague. Nobody is going to go for a phone with built in advertizing! NOBODY!

[Murc @ Nov 13th 2006 11:35PM]

I dissagree "captain obvoius".

The people with a little cash to burn can but (or rent) a DVR, but people with a lower income get basic cable and have to watch the commercials. If I could get a phone and pay like 10 bucks a month because it displays ads...I would do it.

commercials arn't all that bad...they show you whats new and comming soon. same goes for the trailers before your movie starts at the theater...I like seeing those...because then I know whats coming, and what I like.

Google's a great company, the have the best search engine....ever. And they keep offering good free programs, like google earth and Picasa2.

[captain obvious @ Nov 14th 2006 12:13AM]

The difference, Murc, is tv HAS NEVER BEEN commercial free - cable or otherwise. Only movie & pay-per-view is the notable exception, and you have to pay a premium for that. Cellphones are currently ad/commercial free - and nobody will want to trade that for some ad spewing pocket weight. Commercials are almost offensive in their constant LOUD interruptions (have to keep the mute button handy), and I really do not need to be told the same message 700 times. If I wanted hypnotherapy I would see a hypnotherapist. Whats happened to the companies that offered free internet with banner ads? or the constant pop-up windows? They are gone, because consumers will always trend away from that kind of predatory advertising, which is what google is attempting to offer. Not a good business decision IMO.

I would also have to especially consider buying a phone with links to google - do I really want a company that prides itself on profiling & recording my internet history...tracking my phone as well? That might be a little TOO MUCH profiling. I'm sure they might say otherwise, but I would be rather concerned about hearing otherwise a few months/years down the line.

[Bryan @ Nov 21st 2006 3:09PM]

Oh man...that Snow Crash reference brought a tear to my eye. One more reason this is one of my favorite sites of all time. You guys rock so hard I had to pop an Excedrin. Thanx for all the gadgety goodness!

[P @ Jan 17th 2007 5:28PM]

Talking about advtersiting on phones, I was recently on a business trip to China/India/Hongkong-etc.,
Advertisers there send textr messages in BULK across the board to every cell phone user of a certain carrier ( each carrier is guilty since they all leak out subscriber's pvt tel numbers).
Guess what- no usage charges have ever come down- specially in India it goes up since the currency/inflation keeping up with world standards.

So if any of you think the carriers/ cell manufacturers will pass the savings to you- THINK AGAIN!!!!

PNB